A rare feather from the extinct Huia bird in New Zealand recently sold at auction for an impressive $46,521 NZD (about $28,400 USD). This makes it the world’s most expensive feather.
The huia bird was regarded by Māori as tapu (sacred), and the wearing of its feathers was reserved for people of high status. Unfortunately, the popularity of its feathers was also high for European New Zealanders, and a great many were killed for to be stuffed, and for their feathers.
The beautiful native bird went extinct in 1907, despite last ditch efforts to try to save it. Tragic, to say the least.
As the feather is an object of native importance, it must stay within New Zealand.
A Maori chief wears a huia feather in his hair – Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
The beautiful feather in question, which fetched tens of thousands of dollars.
The unique feathers were only one notable characteristic of the Huia. Additionally, the male and female birds had very different beaks, with the female having a long, curved beak, and the male having a short, crow-like beak.
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